James 3:8 (ESV)

No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

This statement stands between two bookend statements. James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” James 3:13 asks, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” Our speech is often the first clue to what is in our hearts and minds. Humility is needed.

No one is perfect, yet how often people seek after the significance of being a teacher, or spewing what we consider wisdom. True wisdom starts with humility. True wisdom understands the responsibility and accountability that comes with being an influence in the lives of others. True wisdom understands the dangers of the tongue and guards one’s heart.

It is amazing what damage one little thing spoken without thinking can do. By contrast, Proverbs 12:18 says that, “the tongue of the wise is health.” Proverbs 20:15 tells us that, “the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that, “A soft answer turns away wrath.” Proverbs 25:11 instructs, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Words that flow out of wisdom are healing, restorative, and valuable. But too often our words flow not out of wisdom, but out of arrogance, jealousy, self-centeredness, insecurity, and a lack of humility. We will be held accountable for our words.

The problem is not just with the words. They do the damage, but they are not the root of the problem. James 3:14-17 reminds us that what we say is simply an expression of what is in our hearts.

James 3:14-17

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Destructive words flow out of jealousy, bitterness, and selfishness. When we find ourselves running off at the mouth we need to stop and ask what is going on in our hearts, below the surface. It starts with wrong attitudes. It starts with wrong focus. It starts with wrong assessment. It is connected back to the first two chapters which talk about giving preferential treatment to the wealthy and influential people of our world. We honor the wrong thing. In doing so, our own priorities in life get skewed, resulting in a tainted heart and destructive words.

So, what do you really care about? No one can tame the tongue (James 3:8). But we can address our wrong heart attitudes. Our jealousy reveals itself in our speech. Our insecurity reveals itself it our speech. Our hurt, bitterness, and “selfish ambition” reveal themselves in our speech. Don’t be quick to speak. Rather, but quick to humility. Be quick to expose your heart to God. Be quick to let him search your heart and cleanse your soul. As James warned back in chapter one, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19 ESV).